The large volume of water was high in the sky, blocking the entire forest.

No one would probably believe me if I told them I did this on my first try.

“Well done~!”

Undine hopped up and down with excitement causing her blue voluptuous chest to bounce as well.

As I was pouring all the water back, Undine spoke next to me.

“Master this is very important so do remember it. We monarch spirits who are of the highest species have wills and a conscience. Now, look at this water spirit.” She held up her hand and then a little blue light bounced on her finger. “They don’t. They are influenced by the person who wields them. If the person performing the spirit magic has a pure heart like master does then naturally the spirits will be the same. However,”

She let the spirit fly away.

“If you were to experience anger or any other negative emotion then it will influence the spirits inside your body. As I said, they are simple creatures influenced by their wielder. The angrier the wielder, the more emotions and strength the spirits have.”

“But isn’t that a good thing? Powering up with negative emotions...”

“Master...” Undine’s voice was serious unlike her usual cheerful self. I looked back from the lake at her and saw her sharpened blue eyes.

“If you were to feel absolute anger then the spirit mana core inside of you will either forcibly fully awaken or it’ll be destroyed. It depends how much master can control its power. If it were the former then you will fully unlock the abilities of all the elements in this world but if it were the latter...”

Undine averted her eyes.

“Then?”

“At your current level, you will die.”

WHOOSH

The cold night wind brushed my bangs into my face.

‘I’d seriously die if I experience absolute anger or any kind of strong negative emotion...?’

Undine’s eyes were filled with sadness as she looked over the lake.

“Undine, did the past me–“

She held up her hand and shook her head.

‘Ah, that’s right. The pact with the God code will destroy my soul if I listen to the future events.’

I could already tell by her sad expression even without hearing her answer.

I died in one of the futures she saw. Then again, how many futures exist?

“When a time comes that you experience negative emotions, you shouldn’t use the spirit magic at that moment. Please remember that.”

“Y-Yes...”

Her tone of voice and words were telling me that something like what she mentioned happened in one of the futures.

“Master, there is another power that you currently have besides spirit magic...”

“Eh? Seriously?”

Undine smiled faintly.

“You possess the light attribute as well. Although only a percentage.”

“Huh? I have the light attribute!?"

“But you can only use a percentage of the light attribute. It’s unknown why that is. Perhaps there’s a purpose for your fated meeting with the Holy Saintess and this light attribute could be involved.”

“Can you teach me anything related to my light attribute?”

Undine shook her head with a regretful expression.

“My limit is only water and gravity magic. It would be a different story if the light Monarch spirit gave me covenant over the light attribute. That’ll allow me to unlock some of its powers.”

“Maybe Erica can help...”

“No, master. Keep this a secret. Having both light and spirit magic will not bear only good things but also bad things if it were revealed to the wrong people. Let us strengthen your existing abilities and focus on the light attribute in the future.”

“I guess I still need to work on my spatial magic.”

“Very well. As I am well-versed in gravity magic, I can be of some help.”

◇◇◇

Undine and I practiced until the sun rose. Even though I never got a bit of sleep, I didn’t feel tired at all. It must be because the spirits in my body were so abundant in number. I could even use Lightborn two times before they were exhausted and left my body.

My time limit has risen to 3 seconds at the moment. Undine told me that my technique can further be developed if I just train harder. Training during my childhood would be beneficial to the future.

Will I be able to see a few seconds into the future? I want to make that possible using my talents. Senior Francis said that I have limitless potential for the future so I should be able to do something like that or perhaps similar.

Being able to read an opponent’s moves will be helpful if I fight a non-mage.

Wiiiiing—

“What the hell is up with this staff...?”

Each and every time I use the staff, it would reject my power if I use spirit magic. This damn inanimate object!

The density is coming from the gem crystal I bought from that hag’s shop a few days ago. Even without magic perception, I could feel the power the giant crystal is giving off. I couldn’t even shave it off to make it spherical because the blacksmith said that the energy released from it is too powerful.

‘How am I suppose to use this thing then?’

Spirit magic is my trump card. How am I suppose to protect myself and my companions with normal magic alone? My normal core might be at the 5th phase but that doesn’t change the fact that my spirit magic is my strongest card.

‘Maybe it’ll get better over time?’

I hoped so.

“Where have you been?”

Arielle came up to me just as I exited the forest. She gave me a good morning kiss.

“Ah. I was training my spirit magic.” I whispered to her.

“All night?”

“Yes.”

“We’re leaving now!”

Just the a roar came from the carriage. The coachman was already packed and ready to go.

We boarded the carriage soon after preparing all our stuff. When the spirits finally left my body, I fell down exhausted. Arielle lent me her lap to sleep on.

I dozed off after burying my face in her legs.

◇◇◇

–We’re here.

As I slowly woke up, I heard distinct sounds. The sounds were similar to cries, screams and the slashing of metal.

“Clyde, wake up.”

Arielle gently shook my shoulders.

“This is as far as I can go. You kids will have to defend yourself from now on. I did my part by bringing you to the underground entrance.”

When I got up and rubbed my eyes, I saw a huge wall extending 10 metres. The massive defensive wall blocked the rays of the sun and set a shadow over us.

I looked left and saw a cloud of dust and within it, I heard sounds of battle.

‘That must be the monsters trying to enter the city.’

How many supplies must this city have to transform into such a danger zone?

“The civilians are still evacuating. There are monsters inside the city as well so you have to be careful not to run into any one of them.”

The coachman left behind those words before leaving with the carriage.

I pushed Charlotte behind me as I brought out my staff. After removing the cloth from the gem, I poured mana into it and casted a powerful wind spell.

Arielle and Helen stood by either side of the thick steel door ready to open it. Nate finished his chant and pointed his hand towards the door as well.

We both nodded.

CREAK

–KIIIIII!

Boom

Boom

Whoosh

One large primate jumped from behind the door when Arielle and Helen opened it.

Before it could jump towards us though, Nate and I fired our spells. My spell tore holes on its body while Nate’s spell burned it alive.

“Phew. He wasn’t kidding. These monsters are smart to ambush their prey.”

Charlotte said as she stomped the primate monster with her heel.

“Let’s go. Be on the look out for any more in waiting.”

Nate and I spread out our raw mana into the surroundings. This will help us locate any enemies in hiding. A few creatures were scouting from the top of the city but other than that, there were no others.

Erica’s eyes were glowing golden also on the lookout. Since her light mana pool isn’t as large as mine, we’ll only be relying on her if a large and powerful monster emerges.

“No one is around...” Nate said next to me.

“I never expected the city to be this overrun. But we need to do this in order to get the lord’s approval for usage of the Transportation gate.”

“I’m curious. What is your kingdom like?”

Helen asked Charlotte. We were on our way to the middle of the city. The city lord’s castle was standing there majestically in the distance. A huge barrier was warding off the flying monsters by shocking them.

“Our kingdom huh... Well, we have many excellent knights and mages. There is a organization of people that we call the heroes of our continent.”

“Heroes?”

“Yes. They are called the Order. The person I look up to and was to be like someday is the leader. Her name is Iris. Although my mana and swordplay is basically non-existent compared to her, I admire her leadership and seek to become like her. She doesn’t use her power alone to keep her fellow members of the Order in check but ability to judge and leadership skills.”

Charlotte had a nostalgic expression.

“It’s because of them that our kingdom prospers. We only continue to grow bigger.”

“Hah. I wish that were the same for this kingdom as well.”

Helen smiled wryly.

“The Habsburg family is near extinction. The only full blooded Habsburg left is the current Queen. She’s only 12 years old and managed to show some ability in kingdom management. If it wasn’t for her most loyal and powerful warrior ,Schwartz protecting her then she would’ve been killed a long time ago. Some say that Her Majesty might revive the royal family by conceiving children with Schwartz. Either that or the entire lineage of the kingdom dies with her.”

“In short, it’s over.” Nate said form the side. Helen nodded.

“That’s why so many people are leaving the nation. I have no lingering attachments to a kingdom that’s already dying.”

‘A revolution may take place if that so-called Schwartz guy dies or is killed.’

There are a few republicans in the noble circle in our kingdom but they can’t win against the nobility system. Charlotte is aiming to eradicate the republicans.

I didn’t notice that we already arrived in front of the castle gate. I was so absorbed in the conversation.

“What the hell...”

Arielle cursed as she looked at all the monster corpses outside the gate.

‘Seems this is the safest place in this city at the moment.’

“You were the ones that contacted?”

Just then, a voice came from the other side of the gate. A young knight was standing there looking at us in doubt.

“Yes. We are the ones that will take care of the monsters.” Arielle proudly said as she puffed out her chest.

The young knight, still not convinced, brought us in regardless.

“There are currently many of the city’s residents in the castle. I apologize on behalf of my lord that we cannot give you suitable accommodation.”

He spoke we walked through the garden. You’d expect flowers to beautifully stand out inside a garden. However, there was only blood and guts all around. The snow was stained with red.

“Those are the remains of the stronger monsters that managed to get through the magic defence set up around the perimeter.”

The knight spoke as he saw where our gazes went.

“We’ll clean everything once the monster are all dealt with.”

CREAK

When we entered through the main door which was the doorway to the Great Hall, many eyes gazed at us.

‘So many people...’

There were many people of different races inside the Great Hall. Maids were running around distributing food to the people. I could see many young and elderly people.

“As you can see, we don’t have much room. Watch after your things if you put it down. Who will be the ones to meet my lord?”

Charlotte stepped forward.

“Me and my knight will meet with the lord.”

“Your knight?”

He looked at her in confusion. She pointed to me. The young knight looked like he was about to laugh judging by the ridicule in his eyes.

He shrugged.

“Very well. Follow me.”

We handed our stuff to Arielle, Helen, Nate and Erica to look after. Everyone’s eyes were on us as we walked up the stairs of the huge castle.

The four of them chose a random spot near the stairs and sat down.

I looked to the wall and saw many portraits of men posing with a sword wearing armour. These must be the current lord’s predecessors.

The young knight then came to a stop in front of a luxurious door with golden engravings.

He turned to us.

“The lord is awaiting our ‘saviours'' arrival. Please head inside.”

He bowed before leaving.

“Pretentious bastard. How dare he underestimate us just because we’re children.”

Charlotte’s soft smile vanished.

“Huu... He’s just a low ranking knight. Nothing to get worked up about.”

She muttered to herself as I grabbed the door. After giving me a nod, I pushed open the door.

“Ah! Welcome my esteemed guest!”